ng reproachfully_). It was both hands when you went
away. (_He has to show that his left hand is gone; she is overcome._)
I did not know. (_She presses the empty sleeve in remorse._) You
never mentioned it in your letters.

VALENTINE (_now grown rather stern_). Miss Phoebe, what did you omit
from your letters that you had such young blackguards as that to
terrify you?

PHOEBE. He is the only one. Most of them are dear children; and this
is the last day of the term.

VALENTINE. Ah, ma'am, if only you had invested all your money as you
laid out part by my advice. What a monstrous pity you did not.

PHOEBE. We never thought of it.

VALENTINE. You look so tired.

PHOEBE. I have the headache to-day.

VALENTINE. You did not use to have the headache. Curse those dear
children.

PHOEBE (_bravely_). Nay, do not distress yourself about me. Tell me
of yourself. We are so proud of the way in which you won your
commission. Will you leave the army now?

VALENTINE. Yes; and I have some intention of pursuing again the old
life in Quality Street. (_He is not a man who has reflected much. He
has come back thinking that all the adventures have been his, and that
the old life in Quality Street has waited, as in a sleep, to be resumed
on the day of his return._) I came here in such high spirits, Miss
Phoebe.

PHOEBE (_with a wry smile_). The change in me depresses you.

VALENTINE. I was in hopes that you and Miss Susan would be going to
the ball. I had brought cards for you with me to make sure.

(_She is pleased and means to accept. He sighs, and she understands
that he thinks her too old._)

PHOEBE. But now you see that my dancing days are done.

VALENTINE (_uncomfortably_). Ah, no.

PHOEBE (_taking care he shall not see that he has hurt her_). But you
will find many charming partners. Some of them have been my pupils.
There was even a pupil of mine who fought at Waterloo.

VALENTINE. Young Blades; I have heard him on it. (_She puts her hand
wearily to her head_). Miss Phoebe--what a dull grey world it is!

(_She turns away to hide her emotion, and_ MISS SUSAN _comes in._)

MISS SUSAN. Phoebe, I have said that you will not take the Latin class
to-day, and I am dismissing them.

VALENTINE. Latin?

PHOEBE (_rather defiantly_). I am proud to teach it. (_Breaking
down._) Susan--his arm--have you seen?

(MISS SUSAN _also is overcome, but recovers as the children crowd in._)

MI